Men’s Luna Mono Winged Review

Bottom Line

The Luna Mono Winged Edition sandals are a minimalist’s dream come true: ultralight, comfortable, and surprisingly stable. This is one of the lightest models on our best hiking sandals for men guide, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t long-lasting and comfy. 

With sticky rubber, burly lugs, and wide Vibram soles, the Winged Editions grip as well on complex trails as sandy lake beaches. The strap system is highly adjustable, offering a customizable fit that caters to a variety of foot shapes. Our testing finds they’re comfortable for hours at a time, and they’re fast to put on and take off. This model is quick-drying, too, making them a great choice for water crossings or days on the lake. If you’re seeking a super lightweight and airy hiking sandal, the Winged Editions shine.

However, these sandals aren’t perfect. There’s little arch support, and the zero-drop design may not work for everyone’s gait or hiking style. There’s a bit of break-in time due to the  strap between the toes and the “wings” on either side of the foot, which can lead to hot spots. There are many points of adjustment, though the pull-through system is a bit slow and cumbersome to tweak, and durability isn’t as substantial as the competition. Still, for those seeking freedom, versatility, and all-day comfort, the Mono Winged delivers exactly that.

How We Tested

Editor Ian Krammer has logged hundreds of hours of testing time in these sandals, from urban walks in Denver to extended backcountry treks in the San Juan Mountains. Thanks to their minimalist design, Mono Winged have become his top choice for casual outings, short hikes, and low-mileage backpacking trips. With over 60 days of testing the field, Ian analyzed their performance across critical metrics like traction, durability, and adjustability.

Comfort

The Luna Mono Winged Editions prove that ultralight doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort. Once they’re dialed in, these things are as foot-friendly as sandals come. Editor Ian uses these as his camp shoes when backpacking because he finds the pliable straps so soft. They are easy against the skin with a small padded section on the heel that prevents rubbing on long days. 

The toe post is flexible and smooth, and they’re among our favorites for water crossings and days on rivers and lakes because the fabric dries so quickly. The footbed has just enough give to keep feet happy without sacrificing structure. 

That said, not everything about these sandals will work for the masses. The zero-drop sole offers very little arch support. That might be an issue depending on the shape of your foot, or if you prefer more structured footwear with better support.

Our biggest issue, though, comes down to where the sandals rubbed our feet – which is why they earned a lower score for comfort. The toe post is soft, but it still led to irritation during testing up to the 20 mile mark. And while we appreciate the “wings” design – a bit of rubber on the side of the sandals – for their adjustability, we also found these led to hotspots in early testing. That said, after the first 20-25 miles, our feet settled in without further issues.

Traction

Keeping your footing steady in a hiking sandal isn’t always easy, but this pair gets it right. Luna uses MorFlex Vibram outsoles on the Winged Editions, a flexible, sticky rubber blend that grips exceptionally well on both dry and wet surfaces. They’re a solid choice for wet places like sandy, murky river beds and slippery rocks along lake and ocean shores.

We’re big fans of the geometric lug pattern. It’s awesome for digging into soft dirt and sand, providing good grip without feeling too stiff underfoot. It also performs well on concrete and packed trails. Deep lugs run right to the edge of the outsole, giving reliable lateral support when side-hilling or scrambling over rocks. Varying lug sizes across the sole add adaptability for reliable traction on everything from muddy trails to uneven rock slabs.

That said, the rubber’s flexibility comes at a cost: durability. We felt the contours of most rocks, roots, and slopes, but it wears down faster than denser compounds, with lugs noticeably flattening after heavy use. After about 600 miles, Ian’s pair of Luna’s are heavily worn on the outsoles, especially in high-contact areas.

Also, there’s not much tread at the heel for braking on downhills, and the sandals rely heavily on a few shallow ridges at the toe for uphills. If the ridges in these areas were deeper, they would provide better grip on high-angle descents and ascents. As a result, they feel a bit slippy on steep sections, so you’ll need to step carefully. However, for moderate trails and occasional sections of complexity, they are grippy and reliable.

Stability

These are fairly flexible sandals – so flexible that they can be bent into an arch easily – but the Winged Editions still offer an awesome level of stability. Their wide base provides a solid platform, helping with balance on uneven ground. Deep lugs and plenty of ground contact makes them feel reliable on most moderate terrain. Ian loves their balance of groundfeel and rebound, as well as a subtle texture on the footbed that adds just enough grip to prevent slipping, especially in wet conditions

The strap system can be a bit finicky, but once they’re adjusted, the Winged Editions hug the foot securely, keeping your feet in place without feeling restrictive. We’ve tested this pair everywhere from a morning hike in Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Monument to backpacking in the rugged and remote Sawatch Range, and the flexibility of the sole allows for natural movement and plenty of control.

However, that flexibility cuts both ways. The pliable Vibram outsoles can make the sandals feel too sensitive and unstable in tough terrain, especially on rocky trails or steep and off-camber trails. There’s no heel cup, toe ridge, or arch support, either, so they may feel a bit unstable if you like a more structured fit.. The zero-drop design, toe post, and thinner sole are a combination that can take a bit of getting used to. Still, we continue to be impressed by how stable the ride is on the Mono Winged Edition, and it’s one of our favorite things about these sandals.

Adjustability

It’s all in the name: two “wings”, rubber pieces attached at the side of the Mono Winged sandals, act as hubs for the straps. To adjust the top strap, simply feed the lace through the outer “wing”. Ian especially likes that the top buckle can slide along the toe strap to fine-tune tension. A small band keeps excess strap from flapping around, preventing distractions on the trail. 

Our gripe with this design is that this system is a bit slow to tweak, and is more difficult when wearing them. Fine-tuning the straps require two hands, and doing this on the go is a bit challenging. In most cases, Ian finds it’s easier to fully remove the sandals. It’s even more tedious when the straps are wet or caked in dirt, when they aren’t as smooth. We love that the system stays put once set, but it does require a bit more effort than we’d like.

Durability

The Winged Editions are above-average for durability – which is impressive, considering they weigh less than half a pound for each sandal. We’ve put on a little more than 600 miles on ours in the city, on trails, and playing in the water, and we’re confident they’ll go twice that distance.

These models’ straps continue to hold up remarkably well, resisting wear from water, mud, and sun exposure without fraying or weakening. Small but sturdy side “wings” reinforce the strap hubs, adding structural integrity and continuing to perform even after hundreds of times pulling the straps through. Ian’s also found that over time, the footbeds’ rubber softens slightly, molding to the foot for a comfy fit while still maintaining its overall shape and resilience. 

That said, they don’t last forever. The Vibram outsoles are grippy and flexible, but at 600 miles, the lugs are flattening, especially at the ball of the foot and through the heel. Compared to burlier hiking sandals, they sacrifice some longevity for their lightweight and minimalist build – but that’s par for the course when it comes to ultralight gear. That said, our Winged Editions continue to perform, and we expect to get at least one, if not two more summers out of them before retiring.

Versatility

Few hiking sandals transition as effortlessly from trail to town as these. We’ve worn the Mono Winged’s on day hikes, camping trips, and backpacking adventures as often as the local cidery, coffeeshop, and pancake house. Their lightweight build makes them an easy choice for backpackers who want a breathable alternative to boots or a packable camp shoe.

And we love their sleek, stylish look – often with funky designs – so they don’t look out of place in the grocery store or playing tourist in a new place. With their water-friendly design and fast-drying materials, they’re just as at home in a mountain stream as they are on a sun-baked sidewalk.

That said, they aren’t built for every adventure.. They lack the deeper traction at the front and heel needed to keep your footing secure on high-angle routes, and they don’t offer much structure under a really heavy pack. The open design is stellar for ventilation and water crossings, but it leaves feet exposed to rocks and roots that might be a problem on technical trails.

For anything beyond moderate trails, their minimal structure starts to show its limits. Still, when you need a lightweight sandal that’s as easy to put on as it is to take off in warm weather, you can’t go wrong with this pair of Lunas.

Should You Buy the Men’s Luna Mono Winged Sandals?

The Luna Mono Winged Editions are a great choice for dayhikers on established routes who want a barefoot, ultralight sandal for warm routes  with plenty of water. They’re also a bullseye for backpackers who want a stable, capable camp shoe, and folks who want ultralight minimalist sandals for lake days, casual hikes, and that trail-to-town transition. They’re comfy for most foot shapes and sizes, and the rugged Vibram outsole and durable strap system hold up to miles of wear. These sandals balance grip, comfort, and packability with ease, and they won’t break the bank.

However, these aren’t the best choice for more technical trails, longevity, or if you’re looking for the ultimate in comfort. The open design leaves feet exposed to sharp rocks, and they’re true zero-drop sandals with no arch support, toe ridges, or heel cup. The straps between the toes and slightly clunky winged hubs on the sides of the sandals may rub your feet the wrong way. The outsoles wear down faster than some competitors. Adjustments are straightforward, but they can be a bit time consuming and tedious, especially on the go.

Still, if you’re looking for some of the lightest sandals for freedom, versatility, and all-day comfort, the Mono Winged are one of the best minimalist sandals we’ve tested.

What Other Men’s Hiking Sandals Should You Consider?

Did the Luna Mono Winged Editions catch your eye? Hop over to our best hiking sandals for men guide to see how they hold up against the competition. Also, check out these excellent alternatives:

Bedrock Cairn EVO 3D Review: The Bedrock Cairn EVO 3D’s are a slightly burlier, more comfortable alternative to the Luna Mono Winged. They have a similar strap system with a toe post and side attachments for a secure fit.

XERO Shoes Z-Trail EV Review: The XERO Shoes Z-Trail EV’s are another barefoot, zero-drop sandal with outstanding versatility, and they weigh a full ounce less per pair. However, they are not as comfortable or durable.

Chacos Z/1 Review: Chaco’s come in versions with both a toe strap or an open-toe design and also have reliable traction like the Luna Mono Winged’s. That said, the Z/1’s are far heavier, thicker, and don’t offer much groundfeel.